I really like the Trader Vic's in Emeryville. Beautifully appointed, gorgeous setting. Lunchtime fare is decent and I like the cocktails. We went to the big Father's Day buffet they held last year. Can't wait to go back this year.

AFAIK the rest of the staff is still pretty much the same and they should still be making about the same drinks. (Martin didn't make most of the drinks I've had there and they've still been terrific.) I suspect the real "test" will come as the bartenders who worked directly with Martin start moving on and he's not around to train their replacements, but for now I hold out hope.

I've never tried Tiki Tom's, but I'll have to give it a shot sometime. (And I suppose I'll have to visit the Tonga Room out of a sense of tiki history!)

We went to Tiki Tom's a few weeks agon for a Friday night happy hour. Missed out on the 9.95 Prime Rib special, but it looked tasty. They were sold out at 5:45, so that's a good sign of the quality. Did manage to make the Mai Tai happy hour, and they were delicious. The food we ordered was good, service was pleasant and a fun environment. We will definitely return!For Mai Tai's and good Polynesian drinks, go to Silver Palace in Montclair Village in Oakland. The owner was a bartender at Trader Vic's and his daughter has follwed in his footsteps. If Wendy is bartending, her drinks are to die for (don't have more that two, trust me) and the food is good. Fire-fire beef, sizzling tofu and veggies...good stuff and there is a round fireplace! What more could you ask for!

We were at the Tonga Room for a birthday party last week. Even though the space is in beautiful condition and the service decent; the food is really awful and the drinks are too sugary even when level-setting for tropical drinks.